In the fluid arena of combat you need a number of systems that will enable you to triumph when the time comes. Modern systems being taught today encompass strategies, tactics and techniques from any number of other systems. Even if you are learning a mixture of systems the fact remains, you will have a primary system and probably more than one back-up system.Your primary system is the one you are going to practice most, your big guns, your main armament, which one is yours, Boxing, Thai Boxing, Jiu Jitsu, or firearms? For example.Back – up systems need to be in place for the time your primary system gets over ridden. Your back – up system will be used so you can get into a position to once again employ your primary system.The choice of when to change to a back –up system may be pre-planned but most likely while in combat the decision will be made on the spot and your choices will be dictated by your environment, enemy, weather or the actuality of combat to name a few but areas that are going affect the combat situation.Even in the heat of combat you need to be thinking ahead, it is just a game of chess and although you need to keep things simple and as basic as possible, at every stage you need to have a back-up in place ready to use.

I don’t teach or use Jiu Jitsu as a primary system, I teach it as one of a number of back – up systems. Different aspects are used in different areas of combat where my primary system is not viable or I am not in a position to use it to its full potential.Just like your primary system, the choice of what to use as a back – up system is purely down to you, your body type, mental (moral & ethical) mind-set as well as your actuality, where you live and work for example. More on that shortly.Do you train realistically in your back – up systems? When was the last time you were held at gun point or attacked in your car? Of course you have to train for these situations but you have to realise they are part of your back – up training list, unless of course you live or work in an area where these types of situations happen regularly. Which brings me on to my next point. Your primary system may not stay as your primary system, you may even have two, sounds odd doesn’t it?OK let’s look at a couple of examples:You live in the UK but you work in the Middle East on a PSD team. While in the UK you’re primary system is Wing Chung Kung Fu with Aikido forming part of your back – up system. These are not going to be your primary or secondary systems while at work where you are armed with an assault rifle (you primary system) and a side arm (your back – up system). Your unarmed systems may be your 3rd or 4th choice, each one employed to get you closer too and back to using your primary system. What if you move house or emigrate? Your new location and your primary system may not be in sync. You may need to change systems around to fit in with threats, laws and all of the other tactical issues your new location will bring up.Don’t just train blindly, research and plan your combat effectiveness.Do you have a primary and secondary system and do you know the current tactical situations where these systems may be employed?If you fail to plan you plan to fail - Benjamin FranklinStay DangerousRock